Alone with his God

Depicts the figure of a bareheaded Kaiser Wilhelm II kneeling at foot of steps before God, who is a larger version of the Emperor himself. Beside the Kaiser incense rises from a bowl containing the remains of burning and ruined cities, symbolic of the loss of civilisation. God holds a globe surmounted by the German Imperial eagle, symbolic of world domination, in his right hand, while in his left hand he holds a large sword covered with blood. The cartoon was exhibited at the Leicester Galleries in Leicester Square, London, in February 1915. The cartoon was also published in 'Kultur Cartoons', London, 1915 which characterised Dyson's response to Germany's military monarchy and extended his reputation. Will Dyson was the first Australian official war artist to visit the front during the First World War, travelling to France in December 1916, remaining there until May 1917, making records of the Australian involvement in the war. He was formally appointed as an official war artist, attached to the AIF, in May 1917, working in France and London throughout the war. His commission was terminated in March 1920.